Instrumental Lessons

Good Shepherd Lutheran College has a thriving and successful instrumental program. College ensembles have become well known for their excellent performances at Eisteddfods and community events. If you would like your child to start Instrumental Lessons at GSLC or continue their current lessons in 2018 please click on the link below to fill in and submit the Instrumental Lessons enrolment form. For more information on the Instrumental program, please read below or contact the Music Department. Enrol your child in Instrumental Lessons for 2018 using our easy to use online form.

Participating in the College instrumental program will offer your child the opportunity to develop performance skills, musical perception, aesthetic sensitivity and a broad range of personal and social skills and achievements.

At GSLC, we offer the opportunity for all students to learn to play an instrument of their choice in either Group or Private lessons with a Specialist Instrumental Tutor.

Group Lessons, consisting of between 2 and 4 students per group are available for String Instruments including Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass; and Band Instruments including Flute, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Euphonium, Tuba and Drums. Group Lessons cost $180 per term, charged to the College Account.

Private Lessons are available for all String, Wind, Brass and Percussion instruments as well as Piano, Voice and Guitar. Fees for these lessons are paid directly to the tutor. Private Lessons cost $35 per half hour lesson, $350 for a 10 week term. Year 4 Band and String Program Our unique program enables all students in Year 4 to learn a Band or a String instrument as part of their Class Music lessons. The students receive one 45 minute ensemble lesson and one small group tutor lesson per week. There is no cost for the Year 4 program and instruments are provided.

Hire Instruments are available for String, Wind and Brass instruments. Pianos, Drums and Guitars are not available to hire. Hire instruments are $45 per term, charged to the college account.

Band Program

The College ensembles have become well known for their excellence and perform regularly at both College and Community functions.

All students learning an instrument are encouraged to be in an Ensemble or Choir. The benefits of ensemble membership are many: developing confidence, team work skills, responsibility, creativity and a positive self-image. There are no costs involved.Please see the Timetable for 2018 ensemble rehearsals below.

Bands - available for Woodwind, Brass, Percussion and Drum students to join. Piano players may join Maroon and Gold Band as percussionists.
Year 4 Band
Year 5 Band
Band Movie Music group - all levels
Maroon Band - 1+ years playing experience
Gold Band - 3+ years playing experience
Jazz Band - 5+ years playing experience
Orchestra - 5+ years playing experience

String Program

Students in Years 1 - 12 have the opportunity to study Violin, Viola, Cello or Double Bass in weekly small group or private lessons. The College currently has a Primary String Ensemble and a Secondary string ensemble.

Both ensembles play an exciting variety of repertoire and perform regularly at concerts at school and in the community. The Secondary string ensemble has played to great acclaim at Eisteddfods and Presentation Nights.

The String Program is rapidly expanding and continues to provide opportunities for students of all levels, from beginners to advanced. The College has a variety of string instruments available for hire.

Year String and Band Program

In Term 3, 2004 we saw the commencement of a String Program in the Grade 3 music classes at Good Shepherd Lutheran College. With a desire to build on our strong musical heritage at the College, we have decided to extend and develop this program. Starting in 2009, instead of compulsory Violin lessons in Year 3, Year 4 students will be offered the choice of a Band or String instrument.

Band instruments include Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium and Percussion. String instruments include Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass. The students will take part in a weekly Ensemble rehearsal in either a Band or String Class, and a weekly small group lesson with a specialist tutor for their instrument. This is a unique and exciting music program that is unequalled at any school on the Sunshine Coast, and gives your child the opportunity to learn the instrument that is best suited to their capabilities and interests.

Some of the questions you may need answered are:

1. When will students be doing the lessons? The students will have a 40-minute ensemble rehearsal during the school day with a Band or String director, in place of their Music lesson. During this time, they will be fulfilling the requirements of the Music syllabus by doing the following: playing an instrument, singing, music reading and music writing. Students will need to bring their instrument, Display Folder, Pencil and Essential Elements book on their allocated ensemble day. Students will also have a 30 minute small group lesson with a specialist instrumental tutor once per week.

2. What will it cost? It has been decided to include the cost of instrument hire and lessons in the general school fees, so there will be no additional cost. Learning an instrument will be a compulsory part of the Year 4 program. Parents may need to occasionally purchase small accessories for the instrument, such as rosin, cork grease or strings, if these are lost or broken. Students will require a display folder for extra music.

3. What will students need to do at home? Students will keep their instruments at home except for their ensemble rehearsal and group lesson. There will be an expectation that students would undertake their instrument practice as part of a normal homework regime. Short regular practice is best - approximately 15 minutes 4 times a week. Regular practice will be very important to ensure steady progress.

4. How do students choose which instrument to learn? Year 3 students have taken part in an instrument demonstration. Students will nominate three instruments they are interested in learning, and they will then be allocated an instrument based on their physical characteristics, musical aptitude, preferences and instrument availability. Alternatively parents may provide an instrument for their child (if you already own or can purchase a particular instrument). Please note Guitar and piano are not included in the program as choices.

5. What are the benefits for the Students? Students will have the chance to be part of a Band or String Ensemble. Students will have the opportunity to learn an instrument that suits them, in small group lessons with specialist instrumental tutors. Extensive studies have proven the many benefits for student’s learning a musical instrument and being a part of an ensemble.

6. What are the benefits to the College? Although the Year 3 string program has been remarkably successful in establishing Strings at Good Shepherd Lutheran College, it has been decided to change this program so that Year 4 students are able to choose a Band or String instrument. This will build our Band program as well as continue to build our String program, and will give students the opportunity to enjoy learning an instrument of their choice.

Musicals

Good Shepherd Lutheran College stages Musicals in both its Primary and Secondary Schools - alternating between Primary and Secondary performances each year. Being part of a Musical is a fantastic opportunity for students interested in music, singing, performing or stage production. Please refer to our Drama and Dance page for more information on current and past College Musicals.

2013 Secondary students performed 'The Sound of Music'2014 Primary students performed 'The Little Mermaid'2015 Secondary students performed 'The Addams Family'2016 Junior students performed "Peter Pan"2017 Secondary students performed "Rock of Ages"